It’s always been on my bucketlist to purchase a Chanel in Paris so during our little weekend trip last week I asked my husband to choose a boutique while I finished getting dressed. A little googling led him to decide for us to visit the location at 31 rue Cambon, which happens to be the original Chanel boutique.. the flagship, the mothership! Coco Chanel even once lived in the apartment upstairs. We popped in less than an hour before closing and it was still pretty busy in there, lots of tourists buzzing around making their Chanel purchases. We waited in line for a few minutes before a kind woman grabbed us to help. I can’t say it enough that everyone working at this boutique was so friendly! Something I usually don’t experience at designer boutiques in the US and I seriously thought that attitude would be on ten in Paris. Thinking back though.. I made my first Louboutin purchase in Paris years ago and they were also much nicer than any Louboutin boutique I’ve been to at home (agh especially Chicago!). Maybe I just have great luck in Paris!
I came in with a good idea of what I was looking for, so it was a very quick process for her to pull options for me. I was looking for a wallet-on-chain in caviar leather or patent leather – in a neutral color. I narrowed it down to classic black with gold hardware and a nude le boy with what looked like champagne hardware.. it wasn’t quite gold or silver. Waseem wanted me to go with the boy but it’s so hard for me to stray from a black & gold combo, and I just love classic designs. It took me a couple years to even appreciate the newer le boy style & I even own one in a loud electric blue patent leather but… classics will always have my heart! My lambskin double flap gives me so much grief because I hate how soft the leather is so I was long overdue on something black & in caviar leather anyways.
All the other shoppers were sipping on champagne as they made their purchases but me being the child that I am enjoyed a cold can of pop while I checked out lol! From start to finish it was such a lovely experience shopping at Chanel Cambon and what is extra unique about this location is that they have exclusive packaging. Every boutique in the world uses black boxes/bags but the flagship location perfectly wraps everything in white! If you ever buy a pre-loved Chanel and it comes in its original white box, you’ll know it came from the iconic Cambon location. Very cool!
Don’t forget your passport so you can get a VAT refund when you leave Europe! I forgot mine but luckily I always have a scan of it handy on my phone and they were nice enough to accept that! Even without the tax refund, my WOC was cheaper in Paris than in the US; but with the tax refund it really was a great deal (about $1600 vs $2100+tax)! I kind of wish I splurged on something bigger.. ah well, next time! 🙂
Jacket: Kiss & Tell | Cardigan w/ Fur Collar: Akira | Shoes: Adidas | Bag: Chanel
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I loved this post! I actually got the same Chanel bag at the same location on my first Paris Trip back in February. Can you believe I still haven’t opened it lol I know it’s crazy! I have been waiting for a special moment and to do an unboxing on my channel (btw it is PhenomenalAbby) thought I would sneak that in there. hehehe I had a very similar experience at that location very nice courteous staff so different from what the service in Chicago is, which btw is where I live and have NEVER purchased any luxurious bags because of that reason. I geeked when I saw your post on insta and noticed you had purchased the same bag as I did lol I quickly told my husband lol Anyways, loved the post and all the beautifully photographer photos. 🙂 btw Congrats to you and Waseem on the beautiful bundle of joy!
Loved your post. So glad you posted this just in time for my trip to Paris. Made it my goal to drag my husband there and purchase my first Chanel. Thanks for the passport tip, really helped me out!
Woohooo!!!!! Congrats on your first Chanel! Hope you had a fabulous trip (sounds like it!!)
Hello Irene, This bag is so beautiful …
I really wanted to visit this store and get me the boy bag, but we could not make it this time, it was our first time in paris ( still in airport) and we had to go to all those popular spots to visit, I cant wait to come back and shop from this store. Thanks for posting about it.. Love you always <3
I went to Paris last September and my hubby and I stayed really close to this area and galleries Lafayette area…you brought to my attention that I went to this store! Had no idea this was the flagship store!!!! I’m hoping to make my first Chanel purchase later this year when we go back to Paris. I was also contemplating on getting a Woc since I have a couple of other designer brands and want Chanel badly and this seems something affordable that I can save for! I love the VAT system! Is it currently 10%? Your bag is beautiful and glad you had an amazing experience! Thanks for this review on the location and bag etc! <3
How does the VAT system work? Always curious about shopping abroad, but can never quite figure out how it works. Any help would be super appreciated!
You get your tax back at the airport